"So what you're saying is that the killer is most likely He Qiming, but you don't have any concrete evidence yet?"
I nodded.
"Hmph, let me send my private investigators to help you. Don't worry, everything we do is legal. It's just that you police are too slow!" Gan Lin said impatiently and with disdain.
"Whatever. Just make sure your detectives don't make things worse."
"What do you mean? Of course not. My detectives are the most professional ones from abroad. They wouldn't have stayed here to open an agency if I hadn't paid them a fortune."
"Don't you know it's illegal to operate such a business in China?"
"Haha, that's none of your business. We operate as a consulting studio under the guise of investigating minor matters like marital infidelity and theft. We certainly wouldn't call ourselves an agency."
I recalled that some detective agencies in China nowadays simply change their names and help wealthy clients investigate cases like cheating spouses or theft.
Gan Lin's operation was likely one of those.
I didn't say anything more. I stood up to see him out and promised to inform him immediately if there was any news. He left, puffing on his cigar with dissatisfaction, and spat at our police station's door on his way out.
Xiao Yuande was furious at the time. If I hadn't held him back, that veteran detective would have probably rushed out.
"Don't get worked up, Uncle. Although people like him are detestable, as police officers, this is all we can do!"
"Can you just swallow this insult?"
"No. He's also a victim's family member, and he deserves our help. There's no need to argue with him. As long as we solve the case quickly, he'll be satisfied. He's not He Qiming!"
Xiao Yuande finally calmed down. A while later, Liu Yu Ning called to tell me, "We've found a match for those bite marks. It wasn't He Qiming; it was Da Luo. He had a tooth replacement surgery at Qiaokang Dental Clinic in Fuming City before."
"Ah, as expected, there's a hidden secret between them. Could this be the reason He Qiming killed Gan Xiaorui? He must have been furious at being betrayed," He Xin, standing beside me, offered her speculation.
I said, "But even if that's the case, he wouldn't admit it if we questioned He Qiming."
"So, let's think of something else. The TV series still needs to be filmed, right? I'm really curious to see who the director has found to replace Xiao Rui this time."
Everyone was disheartened by our conversation and calmly went back to work. I returned to my office. The day passed like this until Director Yan called me again: "Detective He, we've finalized the new location. It's a tavern. The scene will be about Song Qirong being attacked by an assassination organization in the dead of night while drinking tea. This is the fourth episode. I hope you can come and watch."
I recalled the script I had written. I remembered that Song Qirong was investigating a case when the killer targeted him and sent people to assassinate him, intending to stop him from continuing his investigation. However, Song Qirong was saved by a skilled individual from the populace. I hoped nothing would go wrong this time.
If more problems arose, the TV series might truly not be able to continue filming.
I had actually seen the news today. The popularity of the work "The Grand Judge of the Southern Song Dynasty" had not decreased due to the deaths; on the contrary, it had been soaring. People were saying that the TV series was cursed, and anyone who filmed in it would encounter various misfortunes. It was astonishing how many people actually believed this nonsensical claim, and the entire Guangming City was abuzz with talk about this TV series.
However, Yan Zhanpeng, the director, wanted exactly this effect. The more incidents occurred, the more beneficial it would be for his work. When he called this time, I could feel the excitement in his tone.
At the agreed time of 2 PM, I notified Liu Yu Ning. However, she was unavailable this time and asked me to bring He Xin. I thought He Xin's hacking skills might be helpful, so I asked for her opinion. She excitedly agreed.
Before we even arrived at the set rented by the crew, He Xin exclaimed, "I can't believe I'm going to get to meet contemporary celebrities!"
"Judging by your tone, are you a fan? Who do you like?"
"I'm not a fan. That's for young girls' dreams, always thinking about some big star as their Prince Charming. Humph, how childish! I'm too old for that, definitely not!"
"Oh really? We've arrived!"
After getting out of the car, we walked directly into the makeshift studio. The place had been completely transformed. It looked like an unfinished building that the crew had simply renovated and wallpapered, now resembling an ancient tavern.
However, some of the decorations were a bit inconsistent. But this was a TV series; it was impossible to perfectly recreate the Song Dynasty's design.
Upon seeing me, Director Yan became extremely excited. He firmly shook my hand and said, "The script you wrote this time is truly brilliant. We've analyzed it, and if we film according to this plot, the ratings will definitely exceed 500 million!"
"That's good. I hope nothing else happens."
"Heh heh, Detective He, haven't you seen the bodyguards we've arranged? Let's see if the killer dares to show up this time!"
I smiled and nodded, but inwardly, I thought the killer was from the crew. These bodyguards could only deter outsiders.
Of course, I wouldn't say this to Yan Director; it would be like pouring cold water on him.
The rehearsal for this episode was completed quickly, and they immediately moved on to actual filming. Song Qirong, unfazed by the previous interrogation, remained fully invested in his role. He sat calmly on the second floor of the tavern, discussing the case with his colleagues. They were investigating a missing person case that had yielded no results for some time, and they were all troubled.
Seeing Song Qirong's attire, He Xin couldn't help but exclaim, "Is that He Qiming? He's so handsome! I never believed the 'ancient costume prince' stories until now. Seeing him in person, I truly feel the charm of historical figures. I have to take more pictures!"
He Xin took out her phone and snapped photos furiously, becoming more excited with each shot. Song Qirong was captured from almost every angle, yet she still wasn't satisfied. I nudged her shoulder and said, "Didn't you just say that fan-following is childish?"
"Uh, that's for other celebrities. He Qiming is different!"
I didn't expect even He Xin to be smitten. No wonder he had so many fans. I didn't want He Xin to continue taking pictures, so I pulled her shoulder forcefully. "Weren't you angry with him during the interrogation last time? Have you forgotten?"